Gators Spring Camp Begins: Lagway Limited; McClain Shines

There are increased expectations for the Florida Gators football team as they prepare for the 2025 season this spring.

After finishing the 2024 season on a four game win streak, including an upset victory against No. 9 Ole Miss, the duo of Billy Napier and DJ Lagway are looking for a big season in year two. It’s easy to stay complacent after a strong season, but this team has higher aspirations than 8-5. They know they can compete among the nation’s elite.

“We don’t want to pick up where we left off, we want to keep elevating,” offensive lineman Jake Slaughter said.

The improvements start with spring practice, which started on Thursday afternoon. It was the first opportunity for newcomers to showcase their skills and to gel with the returning players, but it will take some time. There were a few important players limited or missing from the first day of practice. Here are some takeaways from day one of spring camp 2025.

Injuries Limiting Participation

Lagway was limited due to shoulder and lower body issues and did not throw a ball during the open viewing session. He went through the quarterback drills but stood a little behind and off to the side of the others, moving through the drop back and play action motions without a ball in his hands. It’s most likely a precaution to ease him back into play. It’s been less than three months break since he played in the Gasparilla Bowl against Tulane, and his shoulder was a lingering issue late in the season.

Mental reps for DJ Lagway. Working on his drops but not throwing to begin #Gators spring camp. pic.twitter.com/kkxCBy66V8

— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) March 6, 2025

Defensive backs Aaron Gates and Bryce Thornton were not on the field. Head coach Billy Napier said Thornton was still dealing with an ankle issue. Running back Treyaun Webb was in a black non-contact jersey, still recovering from a lower leg injury. Wide receiver Eugene Wilson III missed most of the 2024 season with a hip injury and was said to be limited. Wilson III looked to be running routes as normal in the viewing period. He was working in the same line as the healthy players like Aidan Mizell. Defensive lineman Caleb Banks was another key inactive.

Other players who didn’t hit the field Thursday include:

• RB Chad Gasper
• DL Jamari Lyons
• LB Grayson Howard
• DB Sharif Denson
• DB Jamroc Grimsley

New Additions

Most of the big additions to the team seemed to be full participants.

Early enrollee wide receiver Dallas Wilson and transfer wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant looked like twin peaks among the rest of the wide receivers. Listed at 6-foot-3, 209 and 6-foot-2.5, 216, respectively, their physical presence was obvious.

“Dallas Wilson is a mutant,” said strength and conditioning coach Tyler Miles. He praised his work ethic and physical condition even before hitting the gym with the team.

Dallas Wilson really physically impressive today in person. Smooth route runner. Great size. pic.twitter.com/4lSNTbHMVO

— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) March 6, 2025

He and Sturdivant went one after the other in drill lines, increasing the apparent disparity between themselves and the other receivers. They should both be big contributors to Lagway’s deep ball proficiency this season.

Freshman quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. was also a full participant. He was backing up transfer Harrison Bailey who took over Graham Mertz’s No. 15 jersey.

A trio of freshmen in receiver Vernell Brown III, edge Jayden Woods and defensive back Ben Hanks III impressed early. Miles said Woods sets the tone in the weight room. Senior edge Tyreak Sapp praised Brown III’s work ethic and understanding of the game.

“That kid, he can cut the lights off,” he said. “He’s going to go a long way, not just solely because of how athletic he is, but his mental.”

Defensive back Devin Moore said similar things about Hanks III. He said he’s been taking him under his wing and praised his ball skills.

Cormani McClain’s Leaps Into Spring

The talk of the day was about redshirt sophomore defensive back Cormani McClain.

Miles said McClain put on 20 pounds of muscle since the end of the season and has somehow gotten an entire mile per hour quicker than he’s ever been (23 miles per hour).

Junior corner #25 Cormani McClain #Gators @GatorsIllust pic.twitter.com/8RxGJx3TlE

— Dylan Olive (@DylanOlive_UF) March 6, 2025

“It got to a point where he understood what he had to do in order to be productive, and he did that, he applied things to his game.”

The gain in size is a noticeable difference. McClain will be fighting for a starting spot this season and will be valuable to add depth in the secondary after last season saw multiple major injuries in that group. Expect McClain to be a difference maker this year.